Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,505,025	75,345,023
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	79,667,188	79,534,989
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	18,887	11,646
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,162,163	4,189,966
Parent Company [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,505,025		75,408,571
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	58,112	74,454